Cruise the highway; treat Mom to the sights and sounds of Henry County’s Thrifty on 150 from Route 6 in Coal Valley to Galesburg. It’s a day to shop for deals at the many antique, plant and yard sales. Make a stop in Alpha to visit the car show and the plant sale at Gazebo Park.

The 38th annual celebration of railroad history in downtown Galesburg. This event returns to Main Street. It marks the 160th year of the Railroad in Galesburg. Come by auto via I-74 or by rail via Amtrak. Galesburg is the gateway to the west and leading Amtrak Depot on the corridor to Quincy.

The holiday festivities in Bishop Hill begin with Julmarknad, or Christmas Market. This event is based on Scandinavian customs dating back to the Middle Ages when farmers and artisans would gather in the village squares to sell their wares. Bishop Hill businesses will be offering unique gifts, handmade wares, antiques, quilts, collectibles, baked goods, delicious foods, and Swedish imports. Scandinavian foods such as herring, lutfisk, and rye bread are also in abundance. Select from a large array of delicious holiday cookies, homemade by community bakers on Friday and Saturday.

Since 2000 The Great Balloon Race has called Galesburg, Illinois it's home. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Storey, it has played host to more than 30 majestic hot air balloons each year. Pilots from across the country have traveled to this event to compete in the balloon competition and to share their balloons and stories with families from around the region.

This celebration welcomes spring with businesses serving treats and refreshments. We invite you to experience Bishop Hill renewed. Spring has arrived in Bishop Hill with special exhibits, shops open with fresh ideas. Refreshments are served in many of the shops and museums. See you soon! Visit the Dairy Building at 2 p.m. and enjoy the first person portrayal of John Deere sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association.

Join in the gathering of 60 exceptional proprietors showing and selling their wares on the Colony School lawn. Look and peruse through a vast variety of hard to find specialty collectibles and antiques from early country, primitives, folk art, pottery and textiles. This market is the the place you are longing to explore. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $5

Historic National Landmark, Bishop Hill, glows with luminary lit sidewalks and candle lit windows in honor of St. Lucy, a celebration of lights. Musical entertainment abounds throughout the village. Musicians will perform at the Steeple Building and at Vagnhall Galleri, the air will be filled with musical melodies. The village specialty shops and dining establishments stay open late for an enchanted evening to remember. Feel like dancing? Experience the Old Colony School barn dance serenaded by the Rusty String Pickup Band. Experience a utopia on the prairie holiday experience this season.

Feel the excitement, experience the history of two time periods in America, featuring Civil War Battle Reenactments and Pre 1840's Rendezvous. A traveling family circus, period food stands and crafts for sale, fishing contest for children, canoe races on the lake, night firing of cannons and a military ball. A great family outing!

The annual quilt show is like a needle and thread as it, too, joins together family members and friends to create something memorable. This event continues to grow and over 100 quilts and quilted pieces are entered in this judged show at the Colony School. Be sure to visit the Village Smithy and VagnHall Galleri to see additional quilts on display.

Have you ever seen pumpkins fly at the speed of sound? Watch the Q-9 pumpkin cannon – always shooting for a world record, or pick and shoot your own pumpkin. Distance and accuracy competitions are held twice daily.

Total Stearman! The 43rd consecutive National Stearman Fly-In will celebrate America’s iconic biplane, and you're invited to join the fun Sept. 1-6, 2014, at Galesburg, IL, Municipal Airport. The must-attend event of the year for Stearman enthusiasts will offer a generous mix of flying events, technical seminars, entertainment and food. Best of all, it’s an opportunity to fly and relax with friends.

Jack O’Lantern meets Jack and the Beanstalk! Like Jack’s plant, a pumpkin can grow, and grow, and GROW – until it becomes one of the stars of the annual Giant Pumpkin Festival! See pumpkins weighing over 500 pounds. Most are for sale, so–give yourself the ultimate challenge and wrestle a giant out in our 20-acre pumpkin patch–or just point at one that’s been pre-picked at the farmstand. We’ll help with the wrestling, weighing and toting. Fall fun park, hayrack rides, corn cannons, our famous “Cow Train” barrel train, “Mining for Gems” ,bounce house, and Kids’ Corn Maze. Free admission, ample parking, nominal charge for events. Fall Fun Park open: 10:30am to 6pm.

We invite you to spend the day in an enchanting village. The park is the center of this small town and will be filled with story telling and music. Join us for the historical re-enactment, a family oriented event sharing true tales of what makes us uniquely American.

Interact with skilled potters and a variety of fiber artists during this two day event. Artists are featured in an indoor/outdoor classroom at Bishop Hill's Prairie Arts Center. Potters of all levels will demonstrate wheel throwing and hand building techniques, the Native American art of horse hair pottery, pit and raku firing processes and more. Learn weaving, spinning, rug hooking and broom making. Make and take activities will be conducted both days. Jansson 5, a Bishop Hill-based group, will entertain with their diverse musical style in the village park Saturday afternoon, and an old-fashioned pie and ice cream social will be held there, too. Saturday evening, a soup supper takes place in the Bishop Hill Colony School. For $10, attendees can pick out a hand-thrown bowl, fill it with homemade soup, and take the bowl home afterward.

Time has passed, and the tradition of rug hooking continues. Join Ella Davidson at the Old Colony School and a variety of instructors to learn the craft of rug hooking. Learn about the history, the process and the materials needed to design your rug for you to enjoy now and in the future.

Celebrate the 168th anniversary of the Bishop Hill Colony and the 118th year of the Old Settler’s Association. Enjoy a traditional chicken dinner, the High Society Band Concert and program featuring Bishop Hill Colony descendants’ speakers. Sunday a reunion of students and teachers from the Bishop Hill Colony School takes place and memories are shared. Hours: 11:30 am to 3 pm.